Palkattjåkkå
2,016 m
Sweden
Also known as BálgattjåhkkåAlso known as
Bálgattjåhkkå
- Elevation
- 2,016 m
- Prominence
- 1,160 m
- Difficulty
- 4/10
- Alpine hike
- Best Season
- Jul–Aug
- Routes
- 2
Routes
2The only line to Palkattjåkkå (Bálgattjåhkkå) that needs no rock climbing: a long walk-in from Kvikkjokk into southern Sarek, then up the Pårtejekna glacier to the mountain's south side, a drifted snow slope to the ridge just north of the gap between Lill-Palkat and the summit, and an easy walk up the south-west ridge.
Elevation Profile
approximate line- Distance
- 38.6 km
- one way
- Ascent
- +2,331 m
- −648 m lost on the way up
- High Point
- 2,016 m
- Time Up
- 14h 11m
- DIN 33466
- Time Down
- 13h 04m
- DIN 33466 · same way back
From Kvikkjokk follow Kungsleden north for a few hours, then leave it at the signed turn-off for the path towards Pårek, which climbs through spruce and birch forest and bog onto the open fell below the Pårte massif. Most parties camp on the fell around Sähkokjåhkå or higher; this is the same approach as for Pårtetjåkkå (2,005 m), Sweden's southernmost 2,000 m summit. From the upper fell gain the Pårtejekna glacier (Bårddejiegŋa on current maps), which lies between Pårtetjåkkå and Palkattjåkkå, and walk up it to the south side of Palkattjåkkå. A wind-drifted snow slope leads onto the ridge just north of the notch between Lill-Palkat and Palkattjåkkå; from there it is a walk up the south-west (or west) ridge to the summit. Peter Ask, who climbed it in winter conditions, and the Grundsten guidebook he cites describe this as the easiest way up and the only one without climbing. The route is reported as relatively safe in winter and spring conditions; in summer no first-hand description of the glacier was found, and it should be treated as a crevassed summer glacier and roped accordingly. Descend the same way. Experienced parties combine Palkattjåkkå with Pårtetjåkkå via the Pårte traverse (separate route), or descend the north ridge to Palkatglaciären (Bálgatjiegŋa).
Start
Kvikkjokk Fjällstation333 m
- Bus to Kvikkjokk: line 94 daily in summer from Murjek station via Jokkmokk; line 47 once a day Monday–Friday in winter and the low season.
Stages
| Day | Stage | km | m ascent | m descent | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kvikkjokk Fjällstation → Sähkokjåhkå | 28.0 | 993 | 118 | 8h 47m |
| 2 | Sähkokjåhkå → Palkattjåkkå | 10.6 | 1,337 | 530 | 6h 50m |
Waypoints
- Trailhead: Kvikkjokk Fjällstation333 m
STF mountain station; bus stop by the church 150 m away
- Feature: Sähkokjåhkå1,214 m
Open fell below the Pårte massif; usual camping area
- Feature: Bårddejiegŋa1,525 m
Pårtejekna glacier; rope up in summer
- Summit: Palkattjåkkå2,016 m
Key Passages
- Pårtejekna (Bårddejiegŋa) glacier
- Drifted snow slope onto the ridge north of the Lill-Palkat notch
- South-west ridge to the summit
Equipment
0/7 packedDownloads
Route confidence 40%Overview
A remote 2,016 m summit in the Pårte massif of southern Sarek, one of Sweden's handful of 2,000 m peaks. The easiest way up crosses the Pårtejekna glacier; the classic way is the loose, exposed ridge traverse from neighbouring Pårtetjåkkå.
Palkattjåkkå (Lule Sami Bálgattjåhkkå) is the highest point of the Pårte massif at the southern edge of Sarek National Park, north-west of Kvikkjokk. Long listed at 2,002 m, it gained 14 m in Lantmäteriet's laser-scanned height model and now stands at 2,016 m, higher than its better-known neighbour Pårtetjåkkå (2,005 m) about 1.7 km to the south-south-west. Glaciers flank it on both sides: Pårtejekna (Bårddejiegŋa) to the south-east and Palkatglaciären (Bálgatjiegŋa) to the north-west.
Unlike Pårtetjåkkå, which is a long scree walk, Palkattjåkkå has no easy rock route. Its ridges to the south (over Palkatpakte and Lill-Palkat) and north (towards Tvillingryggen) are loose, exposed scrambles with short climbing steps, and the only line without climbing goes up the Pårtejekna glacier. It sees few ascents: Peakbook records six.
Everything here is wilderness. There are no huts or marked paths beyond the Pårek path, the weather can bring snow in August, and the nearest road and staffed lodge are at Kvikkjokk, a long day's walk away.
Climbing Notes
Plan on three to four days from Kvikkjokk with full camping kit: a day to walk in via Kungsleden and the Pårek path to the open fell, a summit day, and the walk out. For the Pårtejekna route you need a roped glacier party with crevasse-rescue skills, crampons and an ice axe; treat the glacier as crevassed in summer, because no recent first-hand summer description was found. For the ridge traverse from Pårtetjåkkå you need to move confidently on loose, exposed rock with short grade 3 steps, and to abseil or downclimb the Vykortshaket notch; carry a rope, harness, helmet and a few slings. Navigation is by map and compass in trackless terrain, and mobile coverage is poor, so carry a satellite messenger. No guiding service specific to this peak was found.
History
The traverse Pårtetjåkkå–Palkatpakte–Lill-Palkat–Palkattjåkkå–Tvillingryggen was first made in July 1936 by David Nygren and two companions. The geographer Axel Hamberg built the small observatory on Pårtetjåkkå in 1910 for his long-term studies of Sarek's climate and glaciers.
Season
Best Jul–Aug- January: Not advisable
- February: Not advisable
- March: Possible
- April: Possible
- May: Possible
- June: Possible
- July: Best (best window)
- August: Best (best window)
- September: Good
- October: Not advisable
- November: Not advisable
- December: Not advisable
- Jan
- Polar night and deep cold
- Mar
- Ski-mountaineering only; Kvikkjokk Fjällstation opens for the spring season
- Apr
- Long days and stable snow possible; glacier route reported as relatively safe in winter conditions
- May
- Late-winter conditions on the massif; approach becomes wet as snow melts
- Jun
- Snowmelt, high streams and wet ground; Kvikkjokk Fjällstation opens mid-June
- Jul
- Main season; mosquitoes in the valleys
- Aug
- Main season; snow showers possible on the ridge
- Sep
- Fewer insects, shorter days, first snow
Access & Permits
- Hut Booking
- There are no huts on either route. STF Kvikkjokk Fjällstation at the trailhead (51–75 beds) is open in spring (March–April) and summer (mid-June to late September) and is booked through STF. The Pårtetjåkkå observatory is a research building, not a shelter.
- Rules
- Sarek National Park regulations (NFS 2013:10): no hunting, fishing, motor vehicles or motorboats, and no watercraft of any kind in Sarek
- Dogs only on a lead from 1 January to 30 April, or on Kungsleden; otherwise not allowed
- Aircraft may not land or take off, or fly below 2,000 ft, without County Administrative Board permission
- Organised group tours, competitions and camps need County Administrative Board permission
- Do not disturb grazing reindeer or reindeer herding; the park is Sami reindeer-grazing land
- Getting There
Kvikkjokk (road end); Jokkmokk is the nearest town
Gällivare Lapland Airport (GEV) or Luleå Airport (LLA)
- Train to Murjek, then bus 94 daily in summer via Jokkmokk to Kvikkjokk
- In winter and the low season: train to Murjek, Älvsbyn or Boden, bus to Jokkmokk, then bus 47 to Kvikkjokk (Monday–Friday only)
- By car on road 805 from Jokkmokk (about 120 km); parking at Kvikkjokk Fjällstation
- On foot north from Kvikkjokk on Kungsleden, then the path towards Pårek
Hazards
- Glacier
- Crevasses
- Rockfall
- Exposure
- Weather
- Remoteness
Huts & Shelters
1- 320 m
Kvikkjokk FjällstationHutStaffed
Spring (March–April) and summer (mid-June to late September)